Frites and Aioli, Cafe Routier, Westbrook

Frites and Aioli, Cafe Routier, Westbrook

Courtesy Cafe Routier

One-third of the menu rotates every three or so months at this chic shoreline bistro, highlighting far-flung world cuisines: Spain, New Zealand, Baja, Friuili, Vietnam. But one item always remains constant at Cafe Routier: the frites served with a scarily addictive aioli. Be forewarned: You will leave no trace of the sauce behind. We asked owner Brian Parri for his trade secrets. "We hand pick these spuds and give them just the right amount of soak before the thick cut spears head into the oil and then stuffed into a cappuccino mug that can never hold all of them," he wrote. But he wouldn't unlock the recipe to the aioli. "...We're not that easy so we'll just say it's a house aioli that packs an herbal kick to soak up a truly addicting frite experience." -Leeanne Griffin Price: $6, 1353 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, 860-399-8700, caferoutier.com.

One-third of the menu rotates every three or so months at this chic shoreline bistro, highlighting far-flung world cuisines: Spain, New Zealand, Baja, Friuili, Vietnam. But one item always remains constant at Cafe Routier: the frites served with a scarily addictive aioli. Be forewarned: You will leave no trace of the sauce behind. We asked owner Brian Parri for his trade secrets. "We hand pick these spuds and give them just the right amount of soak before the thick cut spears head into the oil and then stuffed into a cappuccino mug that can never hold all of them," he wrote. But he wouldn't unlock the recipe to the aioli. "...We're not that easy so we'll just say it's a house aioli that packs an herbal kick to soak up a truly addicting frite experience." -Leeanne Griffin Price: $6, 1353 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, 860-399-8700, caferoutier.com. (Courtesy Cafe Routier)

One-third of the menu rotates every three or so months at this chic shoreline bistro, highlighting far-flung world cuisines: Spain, New Zealand, Baja, Friuili, Vietnam. But one item always remains constant at Cafe Routier: the frites served with a scarily addictive aioli. Be forewarned: You will leave no trace of the sauce behind. We asked owner Brian Parri for his trade secrets. "We hand pick these spuds and give them just the right amount of soak before the thick cut spears head into the oil and then stuffed into a cappuccino mug that can never hold all of them," he wrote. But he wouldn't unlock the recipe to the aioli. "...We're not that easy so we'll just say it's a house aioli that packs an herbal kick to soak up a truly addicting frite experience." -Leeanne Griffin Price: $6, 1353 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, 860-399-8700, caferoutier.com.